A full council meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, where the party will press for a vote of 'no confidence' in the duo.

Although it will not force the duo out, the group is hoping it causes Mr Longmore embarrassment over the appointment of his deputy.

It comes after Mr Longmore, a former officer at Staffordshire Police, hired his former campaign manager Mr Sheldon as his £50,000 deputy against the wishes of the watchdog-style Police and Crime Panel, which said he has not followed an "open and transparent" process.